Tholons Advisory Investments and Research, a global outsourcing and investment firm, has recently cited Iloilo City for improving its ranking by six notches, from rank 98 in 2010 to rank 92 in 2011, in its 2012 Top 100 Outsourcing Destinations.

Mayor Jed Mabilog said these infrastructure projects include the coal-fired power plant, the land and building developments and the widening of roads.

A press release from the City Information office said that this is the biggest improvement Iloilo has made so far, which according to Mayor Mabilog, showed Iloilo City is making a mark as an international outsourcing destination.

“We can use this recognition in attracting and inviting outsourcing companies and investors to the city,” Mabilog said.

The Tholons report said Iloilo City has seen fast-rising infrastructure development for the IT-BPO sector, and has shown determination to accelerate this industry in the Southeast Asian cities.

Tholons further stated that Iloilo City is among the fast-rising BPO centers in the Philippines, which is touted as the world’s call center capital.

Meanwhile, President Aquino, in a Malacanang dispatch, said that there is no need for the Philippines to lobby against the anti-outsourcing bill in US Congress that may affect Philippine jobs, considering that this is election year in America.

The President said that it has been a recurring issue since the last elections and the situation has not changed, so there is no need for any action as of now.

The US House Bill 3598 or the Call Center and Consumers Protection Bill provides that call center operators will be required to identify their location, giving US callers the option of choosing a US-based operator. (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)